Source: Leo Hawkins manuscript (CHL: MS 155 Box 4 folder 6)
prepared from a ms by Thomas Bullock.
[Thomas Bullock's original notes
of the sermon have not been located. See Historian's Office Journal
(LDS Archives). However, it is likely that Bullock's original corresponds to what is left when the evident insertions and deletions are removed.]

Prest. J. Smith read the 11th Ch. 2nd Corinthians. My object
is to let you know that I am right here on the spot^where
I intend to
stay. I, like Paul have been in perils _ and oftener than anyone in this
generation- as Paul boasted _ I have suffered more than Paul did _ I should
be like a fish out of water if I were out of persecutions; perhaps my
brethren thinkand it requires all this to keep me humble _ the Lord has
constituted me so curiously that I glory in persecution;- I am not near
so humble as if I was not persecuted. If oppression will make a wise man
mad, much more a fool._ If they want a beardless boy to whip all the world,
I will get on the top of a mountain and crow like a rooster; I shall
always beat them _ when facts are proved, truth and innocence will prevail
at last. My enemies are no philosophers; they think that when they have my
spoke under, they will keep me down_ but for the fools. I will hold on, and
fly over them. God is in the still small voice _ in all these affidavits,
indictments it is all of the devil_ all corruption. Come on ye
prosecutors, ye false swearers, all hell boil over, ye burning mountains
roll down your lava, for I will come out on the top at last. I have more
to boast of than ever any man had I am the only man that has ever been
able to keep a whole^church together
since the days of Adam _ a^large
majority of the whole have stood by me:- neither Paul, John, Peter nor
Jesus never did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as me _ the
followers of Jesus ran away from him, but the Latter Day Saints never ran
away from me yet. You know my daily walk and conversation. I am in the
bosom of a virtuous and good family.people
How I do love to hear the wolves
howl: when they can get rid of me, the devil will also go. For the last
three years I have a record of all my acts and proceedings^for I have
kept several good faithful and efficient clerks in constant employ, they
have accompanied me every where & carefully kept my history, and they
have written down what I have done, where I have been & what I have
said therevfore my enemies cannot
charge me with any day or time^ or place _
but what I have written testimony, to prove my actions, and my enemiesfor they cannot prove anything against me. They have got wonderful
things in the Land of Ham. I think the grand jury have strained at a gnat
and swallowed the camel. A man named Simpson says I made^ an
affidavit against him &c Mr
Simpson says I arrested him. I never arrested Mr Simpson in my life. He
says I made^ an affidavit against him. I never made an
affidavit against
him in my life. I will prove it atin court.^
I will tell you how it was: Last
winter I got ready with my children to go to the farm, to kill hogs. O.
P. Rockwell was going to drive. An Englishman came in and wanted a private
conversation. with me I^ told him I did
notdont want say private conversations.
I demand one of you, such a one I am bound to obey any how: Said he I
want a warrant against the man who stabbed bro. Badham; he said it was
a man who boarded at Davis'. He said it was Mr Simpson. It answered his
description. I said I haved no jurisdiction out
of the city. He said the
man must be arrested, or else he will go away. I told him: "You must go
to Squire Wells, Johnson or Foster." Mr Lytle stepped up and said I am
a policeman. I jumped into my carriage and away I went.
When I came back, I met Mr Jackson. He said you did wrong in
arresting Mr Simpson. I told him I did not do it. I went over and sat
down, and related the circumstances. He turned round and said Mr
Smith I have nothing against you, I am satisfied. He went and supped
with me._ He declared in the presence of witnesses that he had nothing
against me. I then said I will go over to^ Esquire
Johnson, and testify
what the Englishman told me. I told him not to make out that I believe he
is the man, but that I believe he is innocent. I don't want to swear that
he is the man. Mr Coolidge, Rockwell, Hatfield, and Hawes were
present.
Mr Johnson made made one out in due form, and as I sat down
in a bustle the same as I do when one of the Clerks brings a deed for me
to sign Johnson read it. I said I can't swear to that affidavit _ I
don't believe it, tear up that paper. Mr Simpson agreed to come before
Badham and make it up. I did not swear to it.
After a while Dr Foster and others came in - they called me up to
testify. I told it all the same as I do here. Mr Simpson rose up and
asked "do you believe now that I am the man who stabbed Mr Badham." I
replied No sir, I do not now, nor ever did; the magistrate says I did
not swear to it." He considered, and made a public declaration that he was
satisfied with me.
Aaron Johnson went before the Grand Jury and^swore
I did not swear to
it: when Dr Foster goes and swears that I swore to it, and that he was in
the room _ when he was not in, Chauncey wanted me to stay and have a
conversation, Dr Foster asked Aaron Johnson for the writ and affidavit.
He handed them to Dr Foster who read them, and then threw them into the
fire. I said Dr you ought not to have burned it, it was my paper.
Dr Foster goes to the Grand Jury and swears he did not burn only one^. but
I say he burnt bothHe burned both. This is a fair sample of the
swearing that is going
on against me. The last discharge was the 40th. now the 41st 42nd 43rd
all through falsehood. Matters of fact are as un profitable as the gospel,
and which I can prove: you will then Know who are liars, and who speak^
the truth I want to retain your friendship on holy grounds _

AnAnother indictment^ has been got up against me.
it appears an holy prophet has arisen up^ and he has
testified against me_ the reason is, he
is so holy _ the Lord knows I do not care how many churches are in the
world _ as many as believe me, -may- if the doctrine that I preach is true,
the tree must be good- I have prophesied things that have come to pass,
and can still.
Inasmuch as there is a new church, this must be old,^and of course
we ought to be set down as orthodox - from henceforth let all the churches now
no longer persecute orthodoxy I never built out^upon
any^other man's ground.
I never told the old Catholic that he was a fallen true prophet God knows
then that the charges against me are false _
I had not been married^scarcely 5 min. and made one
proclamation^ of the gospel before it was reported
that I had seven wives.
I mean to live^ and proclaim the truth as long as I can._
This new holy prophet^ (William Law) has gone to
Carthage and swore
that I had told him that I was guilty of adultery,_ this Spiritual wifeism -
^why a man dares not speak, or wink, for fear of being
accused of this _
William Law testified before 40 Police^men. anda whole
numberthe assembly room full of witnesses, that he testified
under oath, that he never^ had heard, or
seen, or knew anything^ immoral or criminal against
me. He testified under
oath that he was my friend, and not the Brutus. There was a cogitation
who was the Brutus.- I had not prophesied against William Law. He swore,
under oath, that he was satisfied, that he was ready to lay down his life
for me, and he swears that I have committed adultery _ I wish the Grand
Jury would tell me who they are - whether it will be a course or blessing
to me.- I am quite tired of the fools asking me.-
A man asked me whether the commandment was given that a man may have
seven wives;- and now the new prophet has charged me with Adultery. I never
had any fuss^ with these men until that Female Relief
Society brought out
the paper against adulterers and adulteresses.1-
Dr Goforth was invited into the Laws' clique- and Dr Foster and the
clique were dissatisfied with that document- and they rush away and leave
the Church, and conspire to take away my life; and because I will not
countenance such wickedness^ they proclaim that I have been a true
prophet, but that I am now a fallen prophet.
Jackson has committed murder, robbery,^& perjury, and I can prove
it by half a dozen witnesses Jackson got up, and said "By God he is
innocent;" and now swears that I am guilty- he threatened my life.
There is another Law, not the prophet, who was cashiered for
dishonesty and robbing the government. Wilson Law also swears that I told
him I was guilty of adultery. Brother^ Jonathan Dunham
can swear to the
contrary I have been chained _ I have rattled chains before_^ in a dungeon
for the truth's sake I am innocent of all these charges, and you can bear
witness^ of my innocence; for you know me yourselves.
When I love the poor I ask no favors of the rich _ I can go to the
cross, I can lay down my life; but don't forsake me. I want the friendship
of my brethren - let us teach the things of Jesus Christ _ pride goes
before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a downfall _
be meek and low^ly upright and pure; render good for evil _ If you
bring on yourselves your own destruction, I will complain _ It is not right
for a man to bear down his neck to the oppressor always. Be humble,
patient in all circumstances of life. We shall then triumph more
gloriously _ What a thing it is for a man to^ be accused of
committing adultery, and haveing seven wives, when I can only find one

I am the same man, and as innocent as I was 14 years ago. and I
can prove them all perjurers. I labored with themse^
apostates myself until I was out of^ all manner of
patience, and then I sent my brother, Hyrum
whom they virtually kicked him out of doors.
I then sent Mr Backenstos when they declared that he might tell the Laws
enemies if they had
any cause against me I would go before the the Church and confess it to the
world. He was summoned time and again, but refused^. to come Dr
Bernhisel and Elder Rigdon know that I speak the truth._ I cite you to
Captain Dunham,^ Esquires Johnson,&
Wells^bro Hatfield and others
for the truth of what I have said. I have said this to let my friends know
that I am right _
As I grow older, my heart grows tenderer for you. I willam at all times
willing to give up everything that Iis wrong
for I wish this people to to

am wanted, in order that good may
have a virtuous leader _ I have set your minds at liberty by letting you
know the things of Jesus Christ Jesus _ when I shrink not from your defense, will
you throw me away for a new man who slanders you?_ I love you for your
reception of me _ Have I asked you for your money?_ No, you know better. I
appeal to the poor. I say cursed be that man or woman who says that I
have taken of your money unjustly. Brother Babbitt will address you. I
have nothing in my heart but good feelings.

Notes

1. Emma Smith had been using the organization to harass
plural wives and while she avoided public confrontation with her husband
on the issue, it had become a wedge between them. Emma's support for the
practice varied, partly depending on her worries about the issues swirling around
Nauvoo and her husband, and at times, feelings of jealousy.
See
26May42,
15Oct43.